Oxford scientists develop material to transform everyday objects into solar panels

Scientists at Oxford University may have made a significant breakthrough in expanding access to solar energy by developing an ultra-thin material that could replace bulky silicon-based solar panels. Researchers from the university’s physics department have created a flexible film made of light-absorbing perovskite layers, which are just over one micron thick as reported by Engadget website. 

The innovative material is 150 times thinner than traditional silicon wafers and can generate 5 percent more energy efficiency than standard single-layer silicon photovoltaics, according to a statement from Oxford University. Dr. Shauifeng Hu, a postdoctoral fellow in the university’s physics department, stated, “This approach could enable photovoltaic devices to achieve far greater efficiencies, exceeding 45 percent.”

The new technology could also reduce the cost of solar energy production. Due to its thinness and flexibility, the film can be applied to almost any surface, cutting down on construction and installation costs and potentially increasing the number of solar energy farms producing sustainable power.

Despite its promise, the technology is still in the research phase, and concerns about the long-term stability of the perovskite panels remain. While solar energy efficiency has increased from 6 to 27 percent in the past five years, the stability of perovskite remains a challenge. The U.S. Department of Energy has noted that perovskite's stability is limited, especially when exposed to moisture. A 2016 study published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells also highlighted perovskite’s potential for "efficient, low-cost energy generation" but pointed out its "poor stability."

Over the past decade, solar energy has become increasingly affordable. According to the Global Change Data Lab, the cost of solar photovoltaic technology has dropped by 90 percent in the last ten years.

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